On September 13, 2011, Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi held talks with visiting French State Minister & Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Alain Juppe in Beijing. Both sides exchanged in-depth views on bilateral ties and other issues of common concern.

Yang said that the world today is undergoing complex and profound changes and various global challenges have become increasingly prominent. China and France, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and members of G20, should enhance coordination and cooperation to jointly meet challenges, which is of great significance to global peace, stability and prosperity, Yang said.

He said China and France have maintained frequent high-level contacts and enhanced strategic mutual trust and comprehensive cooperation in recent years. "China will work with France to continuously implement the consensus reached by the two countries' leaders, maintain the momentum of high-level visits and deepen cooperation in the areas of economy, trade, humanities, nuclear energy, aviation and tourism," Yang said. Yang urged both countries to strengthen coordination in multilateral areas to provide lasting impetus for development of China-France relations. Both sides should jointly push for positive and practical outcomes to be yielded at the G20 Cannes Summit, and enhance the international community's confidence in global economic recovery and development.

Juppe said that he is impressed by the achievements China has made in its rapid development. "China's peaceful development is an opportunity, not a threat, for France," Juppe said. France attaches importance to China's role in international affairs. Juppe voiced his appreciation of the positive influence China has had on the promotion of the G20 cooperation. He pledged to work with China to keep closer high-level exchanges, enhance humanities contacts, expand pragmatic cooperation in nuclear energy and other areas and further promote their comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two sides also exchanged views on the international and regional situations and hot issues of common concern. While discussing the current situation in Libya, both sides agreed to respect the choice of the Libyan people, adding that they believe the U.N. should play a leading role in Libya's reconstruction.